"The Irish in Film"

"The Irish in Film," the film series sponsored by the Irish Studies Program, concludes on Wednesday, April 12, with "The Secret of Roan Inish" (1994).  Directed by John Sayles,  the film is a magical story based on the Gaelic folklore of the Selkie, a seal who can shed its skin and change shape into a woman. The film features Fiona Coneely (Jeni Courtney), a ten year old girl, who goes to live with her grandparents in a Donegal fishing village.  Fiona's grandfather (Mick Lally) tells her the tales of their clan who, until three three years ago, lived on the nearby island of Roan Inish (The Island of the Seals). She also learns of her baby brother who was swept away in a little boat, and of a Selkie (Susan Lynch), who returned to sea after having children with Fiona's fisherman ancestor. When Fiona visits the island, she finds Jamie, now about four, playing with the seals.